Iranian Presidential Aide Summoned To Clergy Court

An adviser to Iranian President Hassan Rohani on minority affairs has been summoned to the Special Clergy Court in Tehran.

Iranian media quoted a senior judge with the court, Hojatoleslam Mohammad Movahed, as saying former Intelligence Minister Ali Yunesi was summoned on March 17 over recent remarks that were against Iran's national security.

Iranian news agencies Fars and Tasnim reported that Yunesi had appeared before the court, but one of his deputies later dismissed the reports as an attempt to pressure the government.

Speaking at a March 8 conference, Yunesi said Iraq was "not only the bastion of our civilization, it is also our identity, culture, and capital."

The comments led to criticism in the Arab-language press and among conservatives in Iran.

Yunesi later said Iran respected the territorial integrity of other countries.